Normal Psychosocial Development in Adolescents | Dr. Kanchankumar Bhagyawant

Dr. Kanchankumar Bhagyawant | Pediatrician and Neonatologist

FAQs1: I feel my 13-year-old son really needs my supervision regarding his company and friends. At the same time, I do not want to ingress into his personal space. Please guide me how to balance it.

Monitoring a teenager is a delicate part of parenting. Too much monitoring will send the message of distrust, too less monitoring will deprive him of protection and guidance in making safe decisions about behavior and relationships. Trust is the key to finding a balance. Wanting more privacy does not necessarily mean that he has something to hide. Teenagers need privacy for themselves and secrecy goes along with the development of independence which is normal.

Extreme secrecy, however, can be a red-flag sign which should be ruled out. Monitoring a teenager without engrossing to his personal space needs sensibility and discretion. Some of the tips are given here:

Dos

Knock before you enter his room.
Ask permission before looking at his personal belongings.
Make ground rules. You need to know when he is coming back after his Saturday night party or if there is going to be alcohol. Do not ask him personal questions such as who he danced with, etc.
Be consistent with the ground rules. Teenagers need to know that parents are not pushovers.
Stay connected with trust. Invite his friends at your home, give space, and communicate with parents of his friends.
Discuss about your concerns openly with him if required.

Avoid

Listening his conversations on the phone secretly.
Going through his diary or phone.
Communicating with him on social media. Calling him relentlessly to ascertain his location when he is out of house.
Open communication and building trust with teenagers will be helpful to balance the monitoring.

To read more FAQs download the attached document:

Normal Psychosocial Development in Adolescents

Get the complete information about Normal Psychosocial Development in Adolescents by Dr. Kanchankumar Bhagyawant

Download File

Dr. Kanchankumar Bhagyawant
Dr. Kanchankumar Bhagyawant is amongst the leading Pediatrician and neonatologists practicing at Kabir Kid's Clinic, Pune. He is also attached to Ruby Hall Clinic, Sasson road as a consultant Pediatrician and Neonatologist. Dr. Kanchankumar has completed his postgraduate training in Grant Medical College and Sir J.J.Group of hospitals, Mumbai while completing MD in pediatrics.

Did you find this topic helpful?